First Person Narration in Remains of the Day and Wuthering Heights

First Person Narration in Remains of the Day and Wuthering Heights

The primary similarity between these novels is the use of a framing

device which introduces the main plot. However these have different

purposes and affects in each novel, in Remains of the Day the framing

of Stevens journey serves as a setting the scene for the novel as it

starts with a date and the setting of Darlington Hall which is

introduced in the prologue. It also partly introduces us to the

characters of Stevens and Mr Darlington particularly through the

language used by Stevens

"It seems increasingly likely that I really will undertake the

expedition that has been preoccupying my imagination now for some

days" this is the first meeting with Stevens and instantly his class

and character to some degree are made known. Wuthering Heights starts

in the same way but the effect is more directed towards introducing

characters and the setting. It has the feature of introducing the

point the novel is at in terms how the present day fits into the

narrative as it is set in retrospect whereas Remains of the Day has

the effect of moving forward physically but backwards mentally, it

progresses while being in the past while Wuthering Heights seems to

stops in time then go back and come up to date. At the ends of both

novels the frame is completed by Lockwood (WH) who concludes the

narrative and gives his own understanding of them which suggest that

he has misunderstood the story "and wondered how anyone could ever

imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth"

suggesting that he hasn't recognized the turmoil that has gone before

and with the introduction of Catherine and Heathcliffs spectres seems

unlikely to end. The old man ...

... middle of paper ...

...ot hidden "oh my hearts darling; hear me this time,

Catherine, at last!" Which comes after Lockwoods dream in which he

sees Catherine's spectre at the window and even in death they are

portrayed as together "they's Heathcliff, and a woman" which strongly

symbolises the unrequited love between them as Catherine betrayed this

and married Edgar but still remained faithful to her love for

Heathcliff and introduces a gothic quality giving the novel a darker

and more unrealistic feel. Another example of unrequited love in

Wuthering Heights is that of Lockwood and his story of why he proved

himself unworthy of a comfortable home. "a real goddess in my eyes,

as long as she took no notice of me" this is quite a sad tale and has

the effect of sympathy for Lockwood as it would seem that he had the

same problem as Stevens of not knowing how to react to other people.